Missile dispensing device



Nov. 27, 1945. F. H. HAGNER l MISSILE DISPENSING DEVICE Filed June 9, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 27, 1945. F. H. HAGNER MISSILE DISPENSING DEVICE Filed June 9, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 27, 1945. F, H HAGNER 2,389,851

MISSILE DISPENS ING DEVICE Filed June 9, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 gmc/who@ FREDERICK f/A @N6/f @www Patented Nov. 27, 1945 MISSILE DISPENSING DEVICE Frederick H. Hagner, San Antonio, Tex., assignor to Archbold-Hagner Instrument Laboratory, Inc., .a corporation of Delaware Application June 9, 1942, Serial No. 446,389

(Cl. 20G-56) 6 Claims.

This invention relates to an artificial horizon recording and averaging sextant, and has for one oi' its objects the production of a simple and eilicient;v instrument in the nature of a sextant, the arc of which is 90, and the parts of the instrument are constructed and arranged so as to eiliciently measure and record the angles of an observed object relative to the position in which the sextant is held, and also measure and record the degree of tilt at which the instrument is held.

A further object of this invention is the production of a simple and eflicient missile-dropping means for use in an instrument for measuring the angle as well as the degree of tilt of the instrument.

Another object of this invention is the production of a simple and efllcient recording means for use with a missile-dropping device for recording the angle and degree of tilt of an instrument upon which it is used.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear throughout the following specification and claims.

Inv the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the sextant;

Figure'Zis an edge elevational view;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Figure 1;

i Figure-4` is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 4--4 ofFigure'S;v

' Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the instrument looking at the opposite side to that shown in Figurel, and showing a portion of the missile-dropping tube in vertical section;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line'G-I of Figure l;

Figure 7 is a side elevational View of the upper end of the missile-dropping tube looking at right angles to the position shown in Figure `Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view through the upper end of the missile-dropping tube;

lFigure 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a top pian view of the missile-dropping tube with the cap removed, and illustrating the ball-dropping mechanism, certain parts being shown in section;

Figure ll is a top plan view of the missiledropping tube, showing the cover plate in position overA the missile-dropping shuttles;

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line I2--I2 of Figure l0;

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the tube illustratingthe top end of the ratchet disc which con..

trois the missile-feeding and dropping mechanism, the top cap of the tube being removed;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the upper end of the missile-dropping tube, certain parts being broken away to illustrate the pawl and ratchet mechanism which rotates the missile-feeding and dropping mechanism;

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view of the ballsupporting shuttles illustrating the ball in a supported position;

Figure 16 is a perspective View of one of the ball-supporting shuttles;

Figure 1'7 is a vertical sectional View taken on line VIL-Il of Figure 11, showing also the cap and ratchet Wheel and ball-magazine and also the cap in position;

Figure 18 isa diagrammatic view of the computed chart also shown in Figure l;

Figure 19 is a side elevational view of the sighting tube, certain parts being broken away; and

Figure 20 is a plan View of the luminous dotcarrying ring.

By referring to the drawings, it will be seen that IIJ designates the segmental frame which is suitably marked to indicate a arc in the nature of a scale I I. The frame Il) is provided with lateral legs I2 which are adapted to support the instrument when not in use and when in a position shown in Figure 2. lA suitable handle I3 extends from the opposite side of the frame lo relative to the legs I I to facilitate the holding of the instrument in an operative position while making an observation of a selected object. An observation or sighting tube I4 is secured to the upper inclined side I5 of the frame I0 by means of a suitable clamp I6. The frame I0 carries a journal I1 at its upper end of a type described in the following, and this journal I'I engages a ball-bearing structure I8 which is journaled in the upper end of the hanger I9. This hanger I9 is suspended from the journal II in a pendulum-like manner and is adapted to freely swing relative to the frame I0. The journal I1 is adjustably held in a set position by means of the clamping shoes I1 carried by the frame I0, so that the journal Il may be properly centered.

A missile or ball-dropping tube or casing 20 is iixed to the lower end of the hanger I9 and extends vertically thereof and parallel therewith. An indicator hand 2I is secured to the lower end of the casing 20 and extends vertically of and in overlying relation relative to the arc-shaped chart plate 22 which is carried by the outer face of the frame Il just below the 90 scale II. This chart plate 22 is provided with suitable calculations `placed two degrees apart.

nous spots formed upon the ring |411.

which will be hereinafter described. Directly above the center of the chart plate 22 or in any other convenient position is placed a memorandum plate 23 to receive notations of Coroiles correction with spaces for notations of Latitude Coursej Speedf Minutes of arc to subtract and such other notations which may be desired.

A gauge plate 24 which is preferably transparent is carried by the lower end of the casing 2|! and extends upwardly and in overlying relation relative to the chart plate 22. This plate 22 is provided with a series of (preferably four) vertically aligned apertures 25 to permit an operator to mark with a pencil or other means upon the chart plate 22 the positin of the plate 22 at four different readings for later calculation and consideration. These apertures 25 are marked 1, 2, 3 and 4, as shown in Figure 1. The plate 22 is provided with a notch 26 upon the edge thereof opposite the apertures 25 for registration with notations appearing on the plate 22, as described in the following. The side edge of the gauge plate 24 is provided with graduations marked 1, 2, 3, 4, for registration with the five arcs formed on the chart plate 22, shown in Figure l. The frame I0 is provided with a series of sockets 21 formed in the lower edge thereof, which notches 21 are A spring-pressed plunger 28 is carried by the hanger I9 and is adapted to selectively register with the sockets 21 to lock the hanger I9 and casing 23 in a set swung position when thev observation or sighting tube I4 is on the target or in a proper observing position to record the angle of an observed object relative to the position of the instrument. The type of observation or sighting tube used with the present invention is illustrated in detail in Figure 19. The tube |4 is provided with a sighting opening I4a and a ring I4b is threaded into the tube I 4, as shown in Figure 19 to a point shown in Figure 19 where the ring is properly positioned. This ring I4b ispreferably made of Lucite-or other transparent material having fourr notchesI I4c formed in the periphery, which notches are filled with luminous material |411. The outer end rof the sighting tube is provided with a center luminous dot |4e formed on the Lucite disc |521.

The arc frame I0 is provided with a longitudinally extending channel 21a which parallels the notches 21, and a lug 28a which is carried by the hanger I9 fits into this ch-annel 2`|a to steady one part relative to the other.

The observer sights the tube on the object in a position so that his eye may view all four lumi- He then knows that his eye is centered so that there is no parallax error when he is observing a distant object. These luminous spots provide visible indicating means which are visible at night-timel although during the day-time they would be unnecessary.

The missile or ball-'dropping tube 20 constitutes an angle-recording device and embodies a ball-dropping unit carried in the top of the tube, and a recording unit or means carried at the bottom of the tube. The tube is provided with windows 39 upon one side thereof, and an inner light-reiiecting lining 3| opposite the windows 30, as illustrated in Figure 8. The tube 20, as shown, is c-arried by the hanger member I9 and is adapted to freely swing in a pendulum-like manner with the hanger I9 upon the ball-bearing I8 while the frame I0 is held in a stationary posi' tion. The indicator hand 2| is carried by the bottom of the tube 20, and is adapted to travel over the face of the chart plate 22 to indicate the position of the tube 20 relative to the chart plate 22 and relative to the 90 arc I| carried by the outer face of the body 0. The gauge plate 24 is also carried by the bottom of the tube 20 and overlies the outer face of the body I0, as Well as the indicator hand 2| The upper end of the hand 2| projects slightly above the gauge plate 24, as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

By referring particularly to Figures` 8 to 16 inclusive, it will be noted that the ball or missiledropping unit is illustrated wherein the tube 20 is provided with an enlarged upper end 32 having a downwardly extending ared ball-discharge opening 33 for dropping a ball into the interior of the tuber 20. A pair of oppositely disposed ball-engaging shuttles 34 are slidably mounted upon opposite sides of the inner end of the balldischarge opening 33, and these shuttles 34 are adapted to support a 4ball 35 in the upper end of the opening 33 in the manner shown in .the diagram in Figure 15. Each shuttle 34 comprises a body having a notched inner end y3B defining points 31 which are adapted to contact the ball 35 just below its line of equator or central axis, as indicated in Figure 15,V so that the ball 35 may be properly supported in the upper end of the opening 33. Each shuttle 34 is provided with an upwardly extending pin 38, and these pins 38 are engaged by an expansion spring 39 for normally spreading the shuttles 34 apart to cause the ball 35 to drop when the shuttles 34 are moved apart by means of the spring 39,

A revolvable ratchet disc 40 is'rotatably mounted inthe upper end of the casing 20 and overlies the shuttles 34. This ratchet disc 40 is provided with ratchet teeth 4| formed upon the inner periphery of the socket 42 in the under face of the ratchet disc 40. Each shuttle 34 is provided with a tapering outer end 43 and these tapering ends 43 of the opposite shuttles are adapted'to register with opposite ratchet teeth 4| in a manner to cause the shuttles 34 to alternately move toward each other and retract from each other so as to alternately support and drop one of the balls 35 through the opening 33. The ratchet disc 40 is also provided with ratchet teeth 44 which Vare formed upon the upper face of the ratchet disc 40 and are adapted to be engaged by a pivoted pawl 45 carried by the operating trigger 46. A spring 41 is secured to the trigger 46 to-return the trigger to its original position when released. By pressing the trigger 4B downwardly the pawl 45 engages one of the teeth 44 and rotates the disc 40 a distance of one tooth and when the trigger 46 is released the spring 41 returns the trigger to its norma1 position and the pawl 45 engages the next succeeding tooth 44,

The socket 42 is provided in its under face with ten ball-receiving pockets 48 in the under face thereof, for receiving the balls 45, nine balls being placed within the pockets and one pocket being empty for the reasondescribed in the following. The pockets 48 correspond with the number of ratchet points or teeth 4| so as to feed a ball 35 to the upper end of the opening 33, as soon as the shuttles 34 are moved to a ballengaging position shown in Figure 15, and after the previously supported ball has been dropped. The device is also timed as to cause the shuttles 34 to drop into the cavity of the ratchets 4| thereby releasing the ball 35 held by the shuttles and then the shuttles 34move to'a ball-engaging position and another ball is dropped into engaging position withv the shuttles 34, In this man' ner the balls are alternately supported and relesed and alternately 'fed to the shuttles after one ball has been released. Thev upper end 32 of the tube 29 is provided with an inwardly extending and downwardly inclined channel 49 which is adapted to register with one of the ballreceiving pockets 4.8 as the ratchet .disc 40 rotated to bring one of the balls 45 into registration with the channel 49 for feeding a ball to- Ward the opening 33. A cap plate 50 fits over the shuttles 34 to shield the spring 39 and the shuttles, and this cap plate 50 is provided with a registering notch which registers with the channel 49 and to permit the balls to drop from the pockets 48 into the channel 49 and then to l pass into the upper end of the ball-discharge opening 38 wher-.e the ball is engaged by the shuttles 34 until released.

The enlarged end 32 of the tube 20 is provided with a filling passage 52 which communicates with a channel 53 formed in the upper end of the central compartment 55 of the tube 20. This iilling passage 52 communicates with a filling aperture 54 formed in the plate 5l), and this aperture 54 is adapted to register with the ballreceiving pockets 58 as the ratchet disc 40 is rotated for the purpose of filling the pockets 48- with the balls 35. This is accomplished by merely inverting the tube thereby permitting balls which have fallen into the compartment 55 to drop into the channel 53 and pass into the lling passage 52 through the aperture 54 and thence into one of the pockets 48. The ratchet disc 40 is then rotated the distance of one tooth to bring the next succeeding pocket into registration with the aperture 54 and another ball is dropped into this next succeeding pocket 48 and so on until all of the pockets are filled with the exception of one which is in final registration with the aperture 54. 'Ihe plate 50 will therefore retain the balls within `the remaining pockets 48 with the exception of that pocket which is moved over the channel 49 and the ball in this Ylast mentioned pocket will then roll down through the channel 49 into the upper end of the opening 33 where the ball will be supported by the inner pointed ends of the shuttles 34 in a manner shown in Figure 15. `By holding the instrument in a proper position and obtaining a proper sight through the sighting tube I4, then pressing the trigger 46 downwardly, the ratchet disc .48 will be rotated for a distance of one tooth, causing the receding portions at diametrically opposite points of the ratchet 4! to permit the spring 39 to spread the shuttles 34 apart, thereby releasing the ball and causing the ball 35 to fall through space by force of gravity and by impact upon a suitable recording means described in the following, record the angle of ineline as Well as the angle of tilt at which the instrument is being held relative to the object observed. When the trigger 46 is released, the paw! 45 will engage the next succeeding tooth 44 on the ratchet disc and the parts will be in a position to again operate. As the trigger 46 is pressed downwardly and as the disc 40 rotates, one of the balls is fed into engaging position with the shuttles 34 and the shuttles 34 are simultaneously moved to a ball-supporting position.

The spring 39 is of sufficient strength. to release the ball 35 held by the shuttles 34 at greater speed than that caused by the pull of gravity, thereby causing the ball 3-5 to be momentarily held in suspended unsupported relation Just before the ball begins to drop.

The plate :is held in position by suitable screws 56, and the ratchet disc 49 is journaled upon an anchoring pin 5l which engages the center of `the plate 50. A suitable protector .cap 58 `nts over the upper enlarged end 32 of the tube 20 to shield the ball-dropping mechanism vat the upper end of the tube or casing 20. The ratchet disc 48 is preferably provided with a ribbed periphery 59 and the tube 28, as well as the cap 58 is preferably notched, as at 60, to facilitate the manual operation of the disc if desired, and an arrow is preferably placed upon the enlarged upper end 32 adjacent this notched portion 68 to indicate the direction of rotation .of the disc 40. The notch E!! will permit the operator tornanually rotate the disc 40 with his linger while loading..

`A `recording device is located in the lower end of the tube 2G, .and this recording device comprises an octagcnal frame 6l which is mounted on a transversely extending horizontal shaft 82. This octagonal frame 6l is provided with recording plates 63 anchored in position by retaining plates E4. A stamping element 6.5 in the nature of vasn inked ribbon -or other means, is mounted 'ust above the frame 6I and is in the nature of an inked ribbon or carbon sheet so as to cause an impression or indicating mark to be stamped upon the adjoining plate 53 of the frame 5| at the mpact of a ball 35 which is dropped from the balldropping mechanism mounted in the upper end of the tube 20. This stamping element is carried by a suitable supporting plate `66, which plate E6 is engaged by springs 8.1 secured to the sides or" the tube or casing 2'0 to norm-ally force the stam-ping element 65 into contact with an adjoining plate 53 of the frame 6l. The frame 6I carries cam wheels 58 upon opposite sides thereof. which cam wheels 68 are provided with notches 69 adjacent each plate 63 to receive the sliding shoes 10 carried by the plate 66, thereby permitting the stamping element 65 to Contact with the adjoining plate E3. The frame 6I is carried by a shaft il, which shaft carries a knurled nut 'l2 at its outer end to facilitate the rotation of the frame 6l te selectively bring one of the plates B3 into registration with the stamping element 65. As the frame 6l is rotated, the stamping element will be raised due to the fact that the shoes 1Q will ride out of the notches 99 and follow the.

periphery of the cam wheels 68, thereby permitting the frame 6I to freely rotate and prevent the stamping element 65 from smearing the faces of the plates 63 as the frame 6I is rotated. By means of this structure four separate and distinct readings may be obtained by successively bringing the plates 63 into registration with the stamping element 65, dropping the balls to obtain the reading, and then moving the next succeeding plate into position.

A measuring element 13 is mounted just below the frame 5l, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, and this measuring element 13 is inwardly movable against the springs 14 to move the measuring element into close proximity with the adjoining plate 83 while reading. This measuring element 13 is provided with a graduated transparent plate 'I5 which will be described more fully in the following. The measuring element 13 is supported upon transverse shafts 'l and is moved transversely of the casing 28 by means of a transversely extending threaded shaft 'FT which is operated by a knurled nut i8 and is provided with a Vernier disc 19.

The chart 22 is preferably divided into five superimposed arcs and each arc is divided into eighteen .radiating spaces dening boxes, the boxes being' numbered to represent the refraction and tilt correction for the particular angle of tilt recorded by the missile for the given altitude of the object observed, which last mentioned angle is indicated by the pointer 2l on scale I I. The chart 22 is illustrated in detail in Figure 18 and is accurately computed to provide an immediate and ready reference to ascertain the correct altitude of the body observed and eliminate error of calculation. The mathematical calculations shown on the chart 22 give the observer by inspection the necessary correction for determining the correct altitude of the object observed.

It is understood that by means of this device, a permanent record coordinate is made at each observation, and that the ball impact point on the recording device records pertinent conditions Vof the instrument at the time of observation.

The angle of tilt of the sextant at the time of observation is recorded, and the correct altitude is obtained by use of a correction table, such as the chart 22. During observation, the vertical line to the earths center is used instead of a horizontal line for the fundamental line of reference, as has heretofore been the practice, and the observers attention is upon one objective at a time.

An acceleration of the sextant during the 0.14 second of time taken for the ball to fall may be the only acceleration error in the observed altitude, and it should be noted that there is no bubble to lag and set up conditions which would aiect the readings as is common where bubbles are used in instruments of this character. The sights in the sighting tube I4 are fixed so as to eliminate all corrections for semi-diameters of the sun and moon. The sight tubes center line is placed upon the center of the body observed and the observer can therefore be aware of any appreciable error before reading the pattern made by the falling balls. Since the observer sights directly at the celestial body, he thereby avoids any chance of observing the wrong star.

By means of the present invention, the observational fatigue of the observe is reduced, since all motions and attentions of the observer are directedtoward one objective, that is, the body observed, and it has been found that the present .instrument may be operated faster than other articial horizon sextants. The scale arc ll subtends a true 90 arc which reduces mechanical eccentricity errors, and since the sighting tulbe I4 has no optics, rapid production of the instruments will be facilitated. No mirrors, requiring delicate care and adjustment, are used, and no batteries are employed which would be likely to deteriorate. The instrument is therefore a twenty-four hour observing instrument. It has been found by experimenting with this instrument that index error can be checked more readily than with any other known articial horizon sextant; and that the skill of the observer with this instrument is comparable to his skill with a portable rearm as he actually shoots the celestial body by direct observation. For ranging purposes, the instrument can be used to measure angles from 90 above the horizon to 90 below, .by reversing the position of the tube I4. For observation above 20,000 feet', where the dust of the atmosphere is slight, the very Ibright stars may be used in the day time, as the sighting is direct.

To assist in understanding the purpose and uses of the present averaging sextant, the following information may be of assistance:

The latitude of an observer` is a definite function of the altitude, orzenith distance, of a celestial body of known declination and hour angle. 'Ihe altitude of the body is dened to be the angle, in the planeof lthe vertical circle, between the line of sight and the horizontal.

In the determination of the altitude of al celes tial body, the navigator must make his observations With an instrument which is not rigidly fixed either in a vertical circle or relative to the horizontal plane. Small errors, therefore, are present in all of his observational data. The desideratum of all navigators is an instrument with which the angles of apparent positions of the celestial bodies can be quickly and conveniently obtained and in which the residual errors are reduced to a minimum.

The errors to which the navigatorls observations are liable may be classied asfollows:

I. Errors of instrument construction (a) Construction of the pivot (b) Graduation of the scale (c) Alignment of the line of sight 1. Relative to the plane of the scale arc 2. Relative to the zero reading (d) Number' of critically adjustable parts in the instrument (e) Method 0f determining a horizontal or vertical reference line II. Errors in the observers estimation of:

(a) The sighting of the observed body (b) Orientation in regard to the `reference lines (c) The reading of the instruments scales III. Errors from external sources: i (a) Velocity of the instrument and accelerations to which it is subjected during the time of observation (b) Variability of atmospheric refraction:

1. With changing gradients of temperature and pressure,

either natural or articial 2. With changing elevation of the observer (c) Visibility, magnitude, the identication of the observed body and the reference line.

The present averaging sextant was developed with the aim of reducing the residual errors due to some of these general causes.

I. Error of instrument construction The basic principle of this averaging sextant is the use of the vertical, as determined bythe line of fall of a steel sphere, as the fundamental reference line. The use of this principle is practical and simple, permitting sturdy construction in all parts of the instrument. The errors whose sources are in the construction of the instrument are, therefore, in theory, less than those of any sextant in use today.

For comparable pivot and arc constructions, elTects of errors in this present averaging sextant are reduced by half ;v because one degree of measured altitude is represented on the scale by one full degree of arc, as opposed to the two-to-one reduced scale of the ordinary mirror seXtant. This advantage is gained through elimination of the system of mirrors or prisms and by direct measurement of the angle between the vertical reference line and the line of sight, giving the zenith distance or the complement of the altitude.

With 'the use of a tangent screw, there is need for graduation of the scale in integral degrees only. The minutes are read' from a micrometer drum and tenths of minutes from a micrometer drum Vernier. This' system provides' a least count of 6*", as compared with a usual least count of (a) I" provided by the high grade sex'tant, (bi provided by the endless tangent screw micrometer drum sextant, and (o) I" or more provided by' the bubble, or liquid pendulum sextant. The use of the full scale reduces the effective backlash.. and permits a more rugged construction of the tangent screw mechanism.

The alignment of the line of sight in the present averaging sextant is as important as the same alignment in other sextants. The sighting' tube, however, is securely fastened to the limb or side of' the sextant and is more trustworthy, when once adjusted, than are optical parts mounted vulnerably on the limb and index bar. The elimination of the optical measuring system reduces the number ofl critically adjustable part-s in the instrument.

The present averaging sextant provides a me'- tliod of completely recording the reference line from which the altitude of' the' celestial body is measured. This reference line is the' effective vertical at the time of. releasing the ball, andv the effective vertical' is' the line determined byv tlie effective acoeleratioris acting' upon the ball. For' this reason, two or more'balls m'ust be dropped to assure the operator` that the accelerations are' those expectedr If the observer has a steady hand. and is a good marksman' with Som'e light firearm, then he can make a single point pattern with thev several released balls. He may then be sure that his reference line isv as' reliable as, if not more reliable than, the line of sight to a varying and often indistinct horizon, or the vertical through a lagging bubble.

Being.' simple in idea, the' construction of the present averaging sextant is' more sturdy than that of other' Sextarlts, thus affording equal if not superior measuring: possibilities as comparedy to any present instrument of equal size and equivalent precision of construction.

H. Errors 'in thev estimations oifthc'l observer 'I-'he errors (recurringl asr a result of estimations by am observer are likewise brought to a minimum., forw instrument of! this size and? type,` Since the'f present' 'averaging sextant is unique inI requiring' the observers attention` to" be'i concentrated onE one operation' at a time; The observerl isl notrequired tol j'iggle and watc'lfr a liquid or' to consider the problem` of tengency with a variable orill-defi'ned horizon. He merely centers obiect inV the' line of sight and releases the balls. He then reads the mean point of impact in of twocoordinates, one on the scale for altitude, the other on the reticle for tilt.

A rotation of the instrument about the line of sight results in a departure from the correct vertical circle. This rotation is recorded on the target as a tilt. By means of the altitude and tilt readings, correction values are obtainable from tables supplied with the instrument. The tilt correction is applied subtractively to the altitude reading to obtain the apparent altitude of the body. The present averaging sextant is unique, at this time, in correcting for this error, which is common to all sextants.

III. Errors from external sources The velocity of the instrument, in conjunction with the rotation of the earth, causes an error in the vertical as determined by a liquid pendulum or a falling body. This error is produced by the acceleration of Coriolis, the technical name signifying relative motions of rotation between two coordinate systems.

The ball-dropping chamber fixes the coordinate system from which the measurements are to be made, vbut this system is moving relative to a coordinate system at rest in an approximate Newtonian or inertial system considered as iixed, relative to the systeml of the stars, at the axis of the earth.

The released ball is a free body moving with no discernible error in a twobody isolated Newtonianv system` containing only the ball and the earth. Thefmotion of the ball-dropping chamber has essentially the property of freeing the ball from transverse resistance to its inertial motion in space.l The ball, therefore, has an orbit in space in a plane passing through the center of gravity of theearth, The locus of the line from the ball to the earths center does not cut the earths surface along a greaty circle, as might be expected,` because the earth has an independent rotation about its axis. The centrifugal force acting onl the ball is also different from the centrifugal force at the corresponding point on the earths surface. For this reason the line of fall will be deflected from the direction of motion of the sextant according to ther following rules-:-

1. For motion along a meridian of longitude the deflection is:

(a) East if moving toward the equator (o) West if moving away from the equator 2. For' motion along a parallel of latitude the deflection isf:

(a) Toward the equator if the motion is from east to west. (o) Away from the equator if the motion is west to' east, or in thesame direction as the earths rotation.

TheA form-ula andv calculated values for this deviation are published by Dr. John Q. Stewart in The Review of Scientific Instruments of October, 1940', pge 310;y andA by Lt. Comdr. P. V. Weems, U.v S. Navy (retired), and Captain T, L; Thur-low, U.v S'. Air Corps, in the United States Naval Institute Proceedings of October, 1940, page 1420.

They altitude reading error by the amounts given inv the table by' D'r. Stewart, but these corrections can' best bei m'ade to the line of position according'` tol thei rules prepared by Lt. Comdr. Weenis; and Capt. Thurlow. If the track is directe'd at 90 to the line of position, no displace merit occurs; whereas the maximum displacem'e'nt occurswhen the track is parallel to the line of position.

If the observer is traveling at a speed of 240 miles per hour, or 352 feet per second, relative to the surface of the earth, his geographical position changes by approximately 0.56 in ten seconds of time. The apparent diurnal motion of the body observed is equivalent to a motion greater than this except at the poles. No appreciable error is introduced, however, unless the mean time of the series is recorded with an error which is greater than is likely to occur.

Accelerations which, in practice, are indeter minato, may cause an incorrect reading of altitude; but a scattered pattern of the several ball impacts will indicate when a reading is unreliable. With the present averaging sextant the record that a reading has been affected, and is therefore incorrect, provides valuable data that cannot be obtained from the ordinary marine or liquid pendulum seXtantS. a l Y k Y The use in the present averaging sextant of the line of fall of a steel ball as a reference line,

instead of the line of sight to an horizon, elimi-v been computed to furnish a correction for atv-v mospheric refraction, but these tables require knowledge of the values of temperature and pressure at all positions along the line of sight to the horizon. Y These are generally not avail-l able. Thearticial pressure gradients of the atmosphere, such as those causedby the cowl of the aeroplane may produce appreciable refractive errors.

i The direct sighting tube employed in the present averaging sextant has another advantage.

Since the observersights directly upon the bodyV in question, rather thanY through a system of mirrors or prisms, there is' obviated any possibilitygof confusing the identify ofV stars.

Having described the invention, what I claimV as new is: 1

1. Amissilefdropping device comprising a casing,fa ratchet disc rotatably mounted upon said casing, said disc provided with a missile-receiving reservoir, the casing having agmissile-discharge opening formed therein, said ratchet disc having a socket formed in the under face thereof', ratchet teeth formed in thel periphery' of said socket, oppositely opposed shuttles movable toward and away from said discharge opening, the shuttles having missile-supporting portions at their inner ends,said ratchet teeth being adapted to engage said shuttles kto move said shuttles in one direction, means vfor moving the shuttles in aY reverse direction whereby a missile will be alternately supported and released between said shuttles, and

means for periodically feeding missiles to a sup- Y porting position between the shuttles. y l

2. A device of the class described comprisingy acasing, a ratchet disc rotatably mounted upon said casing, said ratchet disc having a missile reservoir, said casing having a missile-.discharge opening, `a missile-supporting means, means for periodically feeding missiles to the supporting means, a trigger for rotating said ratchet disc, means carried by the ratchet disc for actuating the missile-supporting means toralternately lsupport and release missiles delivered to said. sup` porting means, said casing', having a re'iilling, means communicating withsaid disc, said cas` ing having Ia cut-outA portion adjacent the periphery of said disc to'iacilitate access to the disc for normally rotatingV the `disc while`refllling.` 3. A missile-dropping meansrofzthe class dei-V scribed comprising a support, a'pluralityof re` tractible horizontally slidable missile-suspending means carried by the support for holding the missile in a suspending positionfa spring having opposite endsy engaging the opposed suspending means and adapted to flex and'instantaneously move the suspending means to a releasingposition and out of contactwith the vmissile,`and` an actuating means for setting said spring in motion to release the missile in a manner whereby the missile will fall by force of gravity in line with the true zenith point with no degree of deflection.

4. A missile-dropping means of vthe class del scribed comprising a support, a pluralityl of retractible horizontally slidable missile-suspending means carried by the supportfor holding the missile in a suspending position, a spring having opposite ends engaging the, opposed suspending meansV and adapted to flex and instantaneously move the suspending means to` a releasing position and out of contact with the missile, and an actuating trigger for setting said spring inmotion to release the missile in a manner whereby the missile will fall by force of gravity in line.V with the true zenith point with no degreeof de-g flection.

5. A missile-dropping means of ther class described comprising a support, a plurality of retractible horizontally slidable missile-suspending means carried by the support for holding the missile in a suspending position, a spring having' opposite free ends engaging the opposed suspending means and adapted to flex and instantaneously"move thesuspe'nding means to a releasing position an'd out of .contact with the missile, and an actuating trigger for setting said spring in motion to release the missile in 'a manner whereby the missile will fall by force of gravity in line with the true zenith pointwith no degree of deflection.

6. A missile-dropping means of the class described comprising a support, opposed retractible horizontal sliding missile-suspending shuttles carried by said support for holding missiles ina suspended position, means for feedingthe missiles one yat a time to said shuttles, each shuttle having a missile-contacting linner endthe upper, face of which tapers towardl the missile-contacting` end, each shuttle being notched-at the missilecontacting end and defining minute missile-con- Y tacting points to contact a missile below its equator and provide a minimum missile-contactingMv a-IEa. Y FREDERICK H. HAG'NER. 

